Cap wrench



C. SENN I GAP WRENCH Feb; 22 9 192?.

Filed Jan. 28, 1925 n 1 4 Wm m Z w T w m r 2 M NWO MW. i g B. M a U} my E w 3 i1 MW|MH1 x m m H 2 g m lfilkwg M Patented Feb. 22, 1927.

CARL SENN, OF PETROLIA, CALIFORNIA.

CAP WRENCH.

Application filed January 2-8, 1925. Serial No. 5,233.

This invention relates to a cap wrench particularly adapted for removing screw covers from fruit jars and the like.

The object of the present invention is to generally improve and simplify the construction and operation of wrenches of the character described and particularly, to provide a wrench which will insure quick and ready removal of a screw cover without danger of crushing or damaging either the cover or the container.

One form which the wrench may assume is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 isa plan View of the cap .wrench, showing the top plate of the lever removed.

Figure 2 is a side elevation partially in section, showing it applied to a cover.

Referring to the drawings in detail and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, A indicates a handle member which in this instance is constructed of an upper and a lower section as indicated at 2 and 3 respectively, these sections being secured together by rivets or the like as indicated at 4. The handle is hollow, as illustrated, and the inner end is completely open to permit insertion of a lug generally indicated at B which forms an integral part of va split clamping ring 5. Disposed on the open end of the handle and secured between the two sections thereof is a pair of pins generally indicated at 6 and 7 The lug B is provided with a central section 8 which is adapted to extend inwardly between the pins6 and 7, and the lug is also provided with a pair of shoulder portions 9 and 10 which are adapted to rock or pivot on the pins 6 and 7, as will hereinafter be described.

The pins 6 and 7 form two functions, first, that of a pivotal support for the lug B, and secondly, that of securing the ends of an enclosing wire generally indicated at 11. This wire encircles the split clamping ring 5 and the inner ends of the wire are secured by passing through the pins 6 and 7 and having their inner ends riveted or otherwise secured as shown at 12. The split clamping ring 5 p is therefore supported, first, by the lug B,

and secondly, by the surrounding wire 11, the clamping ring being supported with re lation thereto by small projecting lugs as indicated at 13.

In actual operation the interior diameter of the split clamping ring is such that it can be readily slipped over the upper end of a screw cover; for instance, on a Mason jar or the like, as shown in Fig. 2. If it is desired to unscrew the cover, it is merely necessary to grasp the jar and to swing the handle in the direction of arrow a. When the handle is swung in this direction, it will swing about the pin 6. Pin 6 will thus engage the shoulder 9, while pin 7 will leave the shoulder 10 and will swing about pin 6 in the same direction as arrow a. This swinging movement causes the wire 11 to contract the clamping ring and the free ends thereof indicated at 14 arethus brought together into gripping engagement about the serves the function of a ratchet wrench, as *r the clamping ring will be alternately expanded and contracted with movement of the handle in opposite directions.

If ahousewife is putting up fruit and desires to apply the covers and screw. them on tightly so as to prevent leakage, the cap wrench is employed in the same manner, the only difference being that the motion of the handle A is reversed; that is, it is swung in the direction of arrow 1) andin that case the handle will swing about the pin 7 and the shoulder 10, while pin 6-will move away from the shoulder 9. In either instance, whether the handle is swung in the direction of arrows a or b, it can be seen that the wire will exert a pull to contract the clamping ring and it will thus gripthe screw cover whether the handle is swung in one direction or another.

While certain features of the present invention are more or less specifically illustrated, I wish it understood that various changes in form and proportion may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims. I similarly wish it understood that the materials and finish of the several parts employed may be such as the experience and judgment of the manufacturermay dictate or various uses may demand.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. A cap wrench comprising a lever, a split clamping ring mounted in one end thereof, a pair of interspaced pins on the lever engageable with the clamping ring,

and a flexible member surrounding the clamping ring and attached to opposite sides of the lever, said flexible member adapted'to contract or expand the clamping ring ivhen a swinging movement is transmitted to the lever.

2. A cap Wrench comprising a split clamping ring, :1 lug formed on one side thereof andhaving a pair of shoulders formed thereon, a iever, a, pair or pins secured in one end of the lever and engaging the re spective shoulders and adapted to pivot on eithershoulder, and means actuated by said pivotal movement for contracting or expanding the clamping ring.

3; A cup Wrench Comprising a split clamping rings lug formed on'one side thereof and having a; pair of shoulders formedthereon, a lever, a pair of pins secured in one endof the lever and engaging the respective shoulders and adapted to pivot on either shoulder, and a flexible member sur rounding the clamping ring and attached torthe lever, sald member adapted to con tract or expand the clamping ring during pivotal nioven'ient oi the lever about either shoulder. V V

l. Acep Wrench con'iprising a split clamping-rirg, :1 lug formed on one side thereof and havinn' it Jauof shoulders formed thereon, a lever, a pair of pins secured in i and having a. pair of shoulders termed" thereon, a lever, a pair 0% pins secured in one end oi the lever and engaging the res ective shoulders and adapted to pivot on i 1 shoulder, a Wire surrounding the ring, said Wire being split and free ends secured in the pins, and formed on the clamping ring between (infill the wire passes to prevent displacement of the Wire with relation to the clamping ring. 7 i

CARL SENN. 

